| Anorexia, Bulimia, & Binge Eating Disorder: What is an Eating Disorder? |
Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder include extreme
emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues.
They are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening
consequences for females and males.
ANOREXIA NERVOSA is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.
Symptoms include:
Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height,
body type, age, and activity level
Intense fear of weight gain or being “fat”
Feeling “fat” or overweight despite dramatic weight loss
Loss of menstrual periods
Extreme concern with body weight and shape
BULIMIA NERVOSA is characterized by a secretive cycle of binge eating followed by
purging. Bulimia includes eating large amounts of food--more than most people would
eat in one meal--in short periods of time, then getting rid of the food and calories
through vomiting, laxative abuse, or over-exercising.
Symptoms include:
Repeated episodes of bingeing and purging
Feeling out of control during a binge and eating beyond the point of comfortable
fullness
Purging after a binge, (typically by self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diet pills
and/or diuretics, excessive exercise, or fasting)
Frequent dieting
Extreme concern with body weight and shape
BINGE EATING DISORDER (also known as COMPULSIVE OVEREATING) is
characterized primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating
beyond the point of feeling comfortably full. While there is no purging, there may be
sporadic fasts or repetitive diets and often feelings of shame or self-hatred after a
binge. People who overeat compulsively may struggle with anxiety, depression, and
loneliness, which can contribute to their unhealthy episodes of binge eating. Body
weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity.
emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues.
They are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening
consequences for females and males.
ANOREXIA NERVOSA is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.
Symptoms include:
Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height,
body type, age, and activity level
Intense fear of weight gain or being “fat”
Feeling “fat” or overweight despite dramatic weight loss
Loss of menstrual periods
Extreme concern with body weight and shape
BULIMIA NERVOSA is characterized by a secretive cycle of binge eating followed by
purging. Bulimia includes eating large amounts of food--more than most people would
eat in one meal--in short periods of time, then getting rid of the food and calories
through vomiting, laxative abuse, or over-exercising.
Symptoms include:
Repeated episodes of bingeing and purging
Feeling out of control during a binge and eating beyond the point of comfortable
fullness
Purging after a binge, (typically by self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diet pills
and/or diuretics, excessive exercise, or fasting)
Frequent dieting
Extreme concern with body weight and shape
BINGE EATING DISORDER (also known as COMPULSIVE OVEREATING) is
characterized primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating
beyond the point of feeling comfortably full. While there is no purging, there may be
sporadic fasts or repetitive diets and often feelings of shame or self-hatred after a
binge. People who overeat compulsively may struggle with anxiety, depression, and
loneliness, which can contribute to their unhealthy episodes of binge eating. Body
weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity.
Dr. Pamela Mark
Licensed Psychologist 407-697-7173
Licensed Psychologist 407-697-7173
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Information provided by
the National Eating
Disorders Association.
National Eating
Disorders Association's
Information and Referral
Helpline:
1-800-931-2237 and
website:
www.NationalEatingDiso
rders.org